Low-energy electron interaction with nitrobenzene: C6H5NO2

Low-energy electron attachment to C6H5NO2 (nitrobenzene) in the gas phase is reported in the electron energy range from about 0 up to 10 eV with an energy resolution of 120 meV. Dissociative and nondissociative electron attachment to nitrobenzene were observed. From the numerous ions observed, the two most abundant were NO2− and C6H5NO2−. Based on comparison of the abundance of studied ions with Cl− in the dissociative electron attachment to CCl4 at 0.8 eV, estimates of cross sections for the all observed ions were obtained for the first time (e.g. σ(NO2−)=4.6×10−20 m2 and σ(C6H5NO2−)=3.8×10−21 m2).